The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-13
LABOR AGAINST MONEY.
Mr.. PoWderly Says that the Future of the
Workingmen Depends on Association.

T. v. Powderly. in Journal of United Labor.
The individual employer hardly exists today.
and that legal entity, the iointstock corpora
tion, is practically passing away. The ''combi
nations, ;" pools and 'trusts" of manufacturers
are becoming the fashion in the industrial
world. This means simply a confederation of
employers to raise the prices of articles Of ordi-
nary consumption by means of curtailing their
production 1t does not the raising of
wages even in the industries affected, but less
work and less pay. and workmen generally suf-
fer in proportion to this artificial restriction of
PRODUCTION, for they are the largest consumers
in society and spend the greater part OF their in
comes in mere subsistence. 1t means dete-
rioration of the wage-worker socisily and indus
triaily. On the other hand, the industrial evo-
luton, the advent and development of the
factory system. has effected changes in another
direct ction. The jourueymen handicraftsmen
nave gone from the scene and given way to
operatives whose massing into factories
has not only made possible but necessary
combination on their part of a far more effective
kind than the old trades-unions, whose day OF
usefulness is fast passing away. 1t belonged to
an earlier period. before the conquests Of labor
saving machinery and the resulting minute sub
divisions of trade to which the modern machine
is restricted, and which require but min imum
of skill and apprenticeship. Nearly every depart
ment of industry has been affected. Skilled and
unskied labor now more and more approx
WQer6
used to any extent Whenever employers get
into trouble with their employees the remedy at
once suggests itself-the use of tool and a
child wherever it is possible instead OF man.
All this puts tremendous club in the hands of
employers especially if they are com bined, with
which to keep dissatisfied employees on good
behavior. 1t is state OF affairs with which
the old-style tradeunion is entirely una
BILE to contend A trade-union Is
necessarily selfish. restricted in its
mutuality and benefits and narrowed In its
nbaro hiv, 1tca off 6ecr n in
verse ratio to the ease of acquiring the trade or
subdivision of the trade which it represents.
Labor organizations to be vigorous industrially
must include within their pale, or have control
over every wage-worker who is able to come
into competition with its members. But as we
know the possible field of competition IS daily
massed labor must be pitted against massed cap
ital or 1t will go to the wall. Inc solidarity OF
the entire working class is their only hope un-
der the present wage system. and this can only
be secured by way of the order of the Knights of
Labor. which gathers into one fold all branches
of honorable toll, without regard to nationality,
sex, creed color" Association is the watch
word of the future.
Mr. Powderly also asks for legislation
pellng weekly payment of wages and prohibit
ing under severe penalties the truck or check
system and says:
1t probably is true that a frequent settlement
of wages would be a great inconvenience TO many
employers, and it might compel come to close
up shop and go out of busines. Well, let them
60. If they cannot get along without leaning
upon their workingmen too heavily we can do
better without them. To the workingman in
nave any money start on, and that means
trading credit and credit means at
least an increase Of 10 per cent. in
credit he is entirely at the mercy of his en-
ployers, as is the case with many of the work
men in the mining regions; but at the best, he is
diton of things which discourages independence
and frugahty.